An online speakeasy of potent potables and other pabulam.

It’s about family

Since we started this thing almost ten years ago I’ve had a sort of saying that I’d bring up occasionally about the liquor biz.

The best combination in the business is when you have good products coming from good people. For example, I often use Catoctin Creek Distilling Company to illustrate this, or perhaps Haus Alpenz as well.

In a way, the second “best” combination is when you have folks you don’t like who make a crappy product. That way you can ignore them with no real consequence.

The difficulties lie in when someone you like makes a product you don’t like, or someone you don’t care for makes something you really, really like.

If you’ve been around the industry the past few years you know the name Hollis Bulleit. She’s the daughter of Tom, the founder of the brand. If you’d been to Tales there’s a good chance you met her (even if you don’t remember it, as her buttons would imply) or at least noticed her magnificent hats. I met her several times, and she was a guest at the blog cabin we had one year representing the brand.

I’ve met Tom a couple of times as well, including for paid meals, and he’s always been friendly and polite.

But for a lot of us, the reason why we cared about Bulleit to begin with back when it started was because of Hollis. Sure, it had a story behind it that I don’t think anyone believed. They were bottling whiskey, not making it (to begin with), but for the price it was decent stuff, and Hollis made it fun.

Hollis is no longer a brand ambassador or employee of the brand. That, to me, is a detriment to the brand but I understand that these things happen. If I gave up on a brand every time a brand rep left or was let go, I wouldn’t be able to keep up with what I could drink anymore.

However, she’s posted on Facebook a number of things about how she was treated by her family. Hollis is not shy about her orientation or her love for her partner but it seems that it’s not acceptable to her family.

Whether or not it’s related to her (now former) position at the brand is unknown. Diageo has put out a vague, unhelpful statement but we don’t know both sides.

But here’s what I do know, as someone who identifies with the LGBTQIA+ spectrum: I can’t condone or accept a family that would treat one of their own with homophobia or any sort of lack of acceptance.

There are lots of brands of bourbon out there. There are lots of whiskeys out there. I’ll be buying others.

(If you’d like to discuss this, feel free on Facebook or on Twitter. Just note that at least on FB, I’ll be policing the comments.)

– SeanMike

Author Description

SeanMike

Engineer by day, debutante by night...no, wait, that's not it.
Freelance writer, aspiring mixologist, Harley rider, avid reader, video game reviewer, cat owner, dog lover, beer drinker, and even a Mason - I'm sure there are other things I could use to describe myself, but for now, I'll stick with: tired.